Amir Khan has pick of opponents for December return

The winner of an Aug. 27 junior welterweight clash between Robert Guerrero and Marcos Maidana will be the mandatory challenger to the WBA version of Amir Khan's title belts, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told RingTV.com.

Lamont Peterson already was the mandatory challenger to Khan's IBF strap, having earned that distinction with last month's 12th-round knockout of Victor Cayo.

In accordance with WBA policy involving titleholders who hold two belts, Khan could be elevated to the title of "Super Champion," meaning that the Guerrero-Maidana — which is for the organization's interim title — could be for the WBA's "regular" championship, according to Schaefer.

Schaefer said that Khan (26-1, 18 knockouts) has also expressed interest in facing the winner of a Sept. 17 bout featuring Erik Morales and Lucas Matthysse for the WBC's vacant crown.

The Morales-Matthysse fight takes place in the wake of WBC's having stripped Tim Bradley, who still is the WBO titleholder.

Schaefer said that HBO has set aside a December return date for Khan, who dethroned Zab Judah as IBF titleholder with last month's fifth-round knockout.

"Amir Khan has clearly established himself as the No. 1 guy at 140 pounds," said Schaefer.